Polycythemia Vera

 There are several types of blood disorders that affect the different blood cells, like polycythemia vera. This condition affects the red blood cells and could lead to numerous problems.

Polycythemia vera

Polycythemia vera is a blood disorder, and it’s a type of blood cancer that affects the red blood cells and excessively increases their number more than normal, and that makes the blood thick and sluggish, which causes many problems in the body.

Polycythemia vera is a rare condition, and it’s more common in the ages older than 60.

Causes of polycythemia vera

• Polycythemia vera occurs due to a genetic mutation that impacts synthesizing the red blood cells in the bone marrow (the soft material inside the bones), which is the place where the blood cells are produced.
• There isn’t a known reason for this mutation, and there aren’t known risk factors, yet in most cases, this condition isn’t inherited, meaning that it doesn’t transfer between generations, but it occurs suddenly without a reason.

Symptoms of polycythemia vera

Symptoms might not appear until a long time, and there are many cases that don’t show any clear symptoms. Most often, the condition starts with vague symptoms, such as:

• Dizziness.
• Headaches.
• Fatigue.
• Blurred vision.
• Hypertension.
• Tinnitus.

After that, the symptoms might develop into the following:

• Numbness, tingling, weakness, or burning in the hands, arms, feet, or legs.
• Itchiness, especially after hot baths.
• Excessive sweating, especially at night.
• Increased bleeding and bruising.
• Shortness of breath, especially after lying down.
• Painful joint swelling, especially the big toe.
• Rapid fullness feeling and bloating.

Complications of polycythemia vera

• Blood clots, which could cause heart attacks, strokes, or blockages in a pulmonary artery or a deep vein in the leg muscle or abdomen.
• Spleen enlargement.
• Peptic ulcer.
• Gout.
• Other blood disorders, like acute leukemia.
• Kidney stones.
• Liver problems.
• Anemia.

Diagnosis of polycythemia vera

• Blood tests.
• Bone marrow biopsy.
• Genetic tests.

Management of polycythemia vera

There isn’t a cure for polycythemia vera, and management depends on managing the symptoms and reducing the risk of the complications. Treatments include the following:

• Frequent blood withdrawals, which is the most common treatment.
• Specific treatments for the symptoms.
• Regular physical activity.
• Avoid smoking.
• Avoid low-oxygen places.